Chapter 4 – Labelling and Guarantees

4.11 International/Multilingual Labels

Issued: 2012-04-03

Requests for multi-country/multilingual labelling have been periodically received by the Animal Feed Division. These are requests to include the labelling requirements and languages for foreign countries, in addition to those of Canada, on the same label.

Under the Feeds Act and Regulations, the definition of a label encompasses all the information (including symbols, marks or designs) that is applied or attached to, belonging to or accompanying any feed or package. This includes any details that may be intended for other countries.

Additional Label Information

Labels for livestock feeds must contain the labelling information required by the Feeds Regulations. Any extra label information, no matter what language it may be in, could be contrary to the standards outlined in the Feeds Regulations. Therefore, any company wishing to manufacture, import or sell a feed labelled with additional information must submit an "Application for Feed Registration" for the product in question, to the Animal Feed Division for review and assessment.

Additional Languages

The Feeds Regulations specify that "any information required to be shown on a label shall be printed conspicuously, legibly and indelibly in English or French or both languages."

The Animal Feed Division will consider extra information such as additional languages on livestock feed labels. Companies or individuals wishing to add other languages will be required to obtain approval by submitting an "Application for Feed Registration or Renewal" (CFIA/ACIA 0009). Information is required in support of the fact that all information in each additional language is a true and accurate translation of the information that is present on the label in English and/or French (i.e. the information is the same in all languages). Such supporting information may be in the form of a Certificate of Translation (see Appendix I for a sample format).

All products with additional label information or with languages other than French and/or English on the label must be registered, even if they would otherwise be exempt from registration. This includes single ingredient feeds listed in part I of Schedules IV and V of the Feeds Regulations.

The requirement for a Certificate of Translation for multilingual labels is in addition to the registration requirements outlined in Chapter 1 of the RG-1 for the various feed types; there is no additional fee over and above that which is outlined in the RG-1.

If inspectors find unregistered products with languages other than French and/or English on the label during their inspection activities the product will be considered non-compliant, requiring corrective action.

If a company is uncertain whether their product requires registration, they should contact the Animal Feed Division.

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Appendix I
Sample Certification of Translation
Multilingual Livestock Feed Labels

Company (Registrant) Name
Address

Date

To whom it may concern:

This is to certify that the information on the label for the following product:

BRAND AND PRODUCT NAME (e.g. "Joe's supplement for horses")

is listed in the following languages:

NAME OF LANGUAGES (e.g. Spanish, German, Chinese, etc)

and that this information is a true and accurate translation of the English and/or French languages on the label.

Sincerely,

 

(Authorized Representative or professional translator)

 

Copy of the label for the above mentioned product is attached

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